Device for washing, disinfecting and/or sterilizing medical, dental, laboratory and/or pharmaceutical goods and methods and program products for use therein

ABSTRACT

Devices having user-interactive guided control interfaces. The devices are for washing, disinfecting and/or sterilizing medical, dental, laboratory and/or pharmaceutical goods. Devices may include sterilizers, washer-disinfectors, autoclaves, and washers. Users are only presented with user interface objects which are appropriate at each step or process state of the guided process. Devices may include a touch screen, a chamber for goods to be processed, and a door to the chamber. Different sets of user interface objects are presented on a display for different respective states of the device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to devices for washing, disinfecting and/orsterilizing medical, dental, laboratory and/or pharmaceutical goods. Inparticular, embodiments herein relate to a device for washing,disinfecting and/or sterilizing medical, dental, laboratory and/orpharmaceutical goods. Also, embodiments herein relate to a method,device and a computer program product for use in a device for washing,disinfecting and/or sterilizing medical, dental, laboratory and/orpharmaceutical goods.

BACKGROUND

The pharmaceutical industry, hospitals, care centers, laboratories andsimilar industries and facilities are constantly struggling againstcontaminations. Hygiene issues are constantly on the agenda andcontinuously evaluated. One hygiene issue of special significance is thecleaning and sterilization of objects, such as reusable, consumable, anddisposable equipment or goods. For example, a pharmaceutical productionsite may be equipped with steam generators, water pretreatmentapparatuses, central sterile services, CPS, systems, CPS dischargesystems, component washers, glassware washers, terminal sterilizationsystems, isolators and sterility testing equipment, simply to clean andsterilize different goods.

Reusable equipment can be surgical equipment such as knives, graspers,clamps, retractors, dialators, probes, scopes, drills, and saws, andlaboratory equipment such as bottles, bowls, condensers, funnels,flasks, pipettes and plates, or the like. Any object which is intendedto be reused and which can be contaminated with hazardous or biologicalsubstances is the subject of stringent hygiene conditions. Wheneverreusable equipment has been used, the reusable equipment is sent forcleaning or sterilization.

Any piece of medical, dental, laboratory and/or pharmaceutical goodsand/or equipment, which is intended to be used or re-used under theconditions described above, needs to be washed, disinfected and/orsterilized. Further, bio-hazardous material is in some cases alsosterilized before being disposed of.

The process of washing, disinfecting and/or sterilizing goods, such as,e.g. medical, dental, laboratory and/or pharmaceutical goods and/orequipment mentioned above, is a highly demanding process in terms of thefacilities used, the staff, the process parameters, the apparatuses andeven the ambient environment surrounding the apparatuses. Allrestrictions and conditions serving the purpose to reduce, or eliminate,the risk for contamination makes it difficult and costly to operate suchcleaning and sterilization processes.

SUMMARY

It is an object of embodiments herein to make the cleaning andsterilization processes more efficient and/or less costly.

According to a first aspect of embodiments herein, the object isachieved by a method performed by a device for washing, disinfectingand/or sterilizing medical, dental, laboratory and/or pharmaceuticalgoods in order to guide a user of the device through a process ofoperating the device. The device comprises at least one display fordisplaying a predetermined number of graphical interactive userinterface objects, and a chamber for receiving said goods. The devicedetects a current first process state of the device. Then, the deviceindicates on the display a first set of said graphical interactive userinterface objects associated with the detected current first processstate visually differentiated from the other graphical interactive userinterface objects of said graphical interactive user interface objects,with which first set of graphical interactive user interface objects theuser interacts in order to cause the process of operating the device tochange from the detected current first process state to a second processstate.

According to a second aspect of embodiments herein, the object isachieved by a device for washing, disinfecting and/or sterilizingmedical, dental, laboratory and/or pharmaceutical goods configured toguide a user of the device through a process of operating the device.The device comprises a chamber for receiving said goods and at least onedisplay for displaying a predetermined number of graphical interactiveuser interface objects. The device further comprises processingcircuitry configured to detect a current first process state of thedevice, and to indicate on the display a first set of said graphicalinteractive user interface objects associated with the detected currentfirst process state visually differentiated from the other graphicalinteractive user interface objects of said graphical interactive userinterface objects, with which first set of graphical interactive userinterface objects the user interacts in order to cause the process ofoperating the device to change from the detected current first processstate to a second process state.

According to a third aspect of embodiments herein, the object isachieved by a computer program product for guiding a user of a devicefor washing, disinfecting and/or sterilizing medical, dental, laboratoryand/or pharmaceutical goods through a process of operating the device.The device comprises a chamber for receiving said goods, a display fordisplaying a predetermined number of graphical interactive userinterface objects, and processing circuitry. The computer programproduct comprises code instructions configured for execution by theprocessing circuitry and which code instructions when executed in thedevice causes the device to: detect a current first process state of thedevice, and to indicate on the display a first set of said graphicalinteractive user interface objects associated with the detected currentfirst process state visually differentiated from the other graphicalinteractive user interface objects of said graphical interactive userinterface objects, with which first set of graphical interactive userinterface objects the user interacts in order to cause the process ofoperating the device to change from the detected current first processstate to a second process state.

By detecting the current process state of the device and indicating, toa user of the device, graphical interactive user interface objects on adisplay that are visually differentiated from other graphicalinteractive user interface objects based on the detected current processstate, the user is directly confronted with ways of operating the devicethat will result in a more efficient, intuitive and safe handling of thedevice and the goods therein. That is, by displaying only what isnecessary for leading the user into the next process state, the user isvisually and intuitively guided through the process of operating thedevice in an effective and secure manner.

This simplifies the handling of the device in a manner that will makethe cleaning and sterilization processes of medical, dental, laboratoryand/or pharmaceutical goods more efficient and/or less costly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the embodiments will become readily apparentto those skilled in the art by the following detailed description ofexemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram depicting embodiments of a devicefor washing, disinfecting and/or sterilizing medical, dental, laboratoryand/or pharmaceutical goods,

FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method performed by adevice for washing, disinfecting and/or sterilizing medical, dental,laboratory and/or pharmaceutical goods in order to guide a user of thedevice through a process of operating the device,

FIG. 3 shows exemplifying display views comprising graphical interactiveuser interface objects depicting embodiments of the device for washing,disinfecting and/or sterilizing medical, dental, laboratory and/orpharmaceutical goods,

FIG. 4 shows further exemplifying display views comprising graphicalinteractive user interface objects depicting embodiments of the devicefor washing, disinfecting and/or sterilizing medical, dental, laboratoryand/or pharmaceutical goods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be describedmore fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich currently preferred embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Thisdisclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Likereference characters refer to like elements throughout. Dashed lines ofsome boxes in the figures indicate that these units or actions areoptional and not mandatory.

As part of understanding the embodiments described herein, a problemwill first be identified and discussed in more detail.

It has been noted that operating a device for washing, disinfectingand/or sterilizing medical, dental, laboratory and/or pharmaceuticalgoods today often leaves a user struggling or uncomfortable with how toproceed through the process of operating the device. This also followsfrom the fact that, if the device is not properly operated, it may leadto the goods not being properly sterilized or disinfected, or evendamaged.

Furthermore, it has also been noted that current graphical userinterfaces (GUIs) of these devices do not provide any support to theuser of the devices in achieving an efficient work flow when using them.In fact, users that have problems handling the GUI of the device are aprimary cause of the work flow when using the devices slowing down. Thiswill cause or increase the number of goods waiting to be sterilized ordisinfected, and consequently cause or increase the queue of goods anddelay in arrival of sterilized or disinfected goods.

These issues are addressed and essentially alleviated by the embodimentsdescribed herein.

In the following, according to embodiments herein which relate toguiding a user through a process of operating a device for washing,disinfecting and/or sterilizing medical, dental, laboratory and/orpharmaceutical goods, there will be disclosed how the device detects acurrent first process state which the device is in at a given moment,and then indicates, to the user of the device, graphical interactiveuser interface objects which display what is necessary for leading theuser to the next process state in an effective and secure manner. Thismay also comprise suppressing graphical user interface objects and/orgraphical interactive user interface objects which are not relevant forthe detected current first process state. Thus, a contextual guidancethrough each process state in the process of operating the device isprovided.

Referring now to the drawings and FIG. 1 in particular, there isdepicted a schematic block diagram illustrating a device 100 forwashing, disinfecting and/or sterilizing medical, dental, laboratoryand/or pharmaceutical goods (not shown). The device 100 may according toembodiments herein comprise an autoclave, a washer, a washerdisinfector, or a drying cabinet. The device 100 comprises a chamber 140for receiving the goods, and at least one openable door 150 associatedwith the chamber 140.

The device 100 furthermore comprises at least one display 130, whichdisplay 130 may be a touch screen or touch sensitive display, such as,e.g. a multi-touch sensitive display. In some embodiments, the display130 may be physically connected and mounted to the device 100 (as shownin FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the display 130 may be remotelyconnected to the device 100, e.g. via a wire or a wireless connection.The latter may be performed over a wireless network to which both thedisplay 130 and the device 100 may be connected, such as, e.g. a WiFinetwork or the like, or over a direct wireless connection between thedisplay 130 and the device 100, such as, e.g. Bluetooth or the like.Also, the display 130 may here be comprised in a wireless communicationdevice, such as, a mobile terminal or wireless terminal (such as, e.g. amobile telephone, cellular telephone, smart phone) or a computer (suchas, e.g. a laptop, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) or tablet computerwith wireless capability).

Furthermore, the embodiments herein for guiding a user through a processof operating a device 100 for washing, disinfecting and/or sterilizingmedical, dental, laboratory and/or pharmaceutical goods may beimplemented through processing circuitry 110, together with computerprogram code for performing the functions and actions of the embodimentsherein. Said program code may also be provided as a computer programproduct, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computerprogram code for performing the embodiments herein when loaded into thedevice 100. One such data carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc.It is, however, feasible with other data carriers such as, for example,a hard drive, a semiconductor memory, a flash memory stick, etc. Thecomputer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program codeon a server and downloaded to the device 100. The device 100 may furthercomprise a memory 120 comprising one or more memory units. The memory120 may be arranged to be used to store e.g. information, and further tostore data and applications, to perform the methods herein when beingexecuted in the device 100. The memory 120 and the processing circuitry110 may for instance be implemented in one or several control units.Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the processingcircuitry 110, which for instance may comprise a detecting unit 111 andan indicating unit (or display unit) 112, may refer to a combination ofanalog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configuredwith software and/or firmware, e.g. stored in a memory such as thememory 120, that when executed by the one or more processors perform aswill be described in more detail later on in this description.

One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware,may be included in a single ASIC (Application-Specific IntegratedCircuitry), or several processors and various digital hardware may bedistributed among several separate components, whether individuallypackaged or assembled into a SoC (System-on-a-Chip).

FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting a method for guiding a user through aprocess of operating a device 100 for washing, disinfecting and/orsterilizing medical, dental, laboratory and/or pharmaceutical goods,according to embodiments of the disclosure. The method comprises thefollowing actions discussed with support from FIG. 1. The actions may betaken in any suitable order, and when applicable, taken in parallel.

Action 201

In this action, the device 100 detects, e.g. by means of the detectingunit 111, the current process state of the device 100. As non-limitingexamples, a process state of the device 100 in the process of operatingthe device 100, may be one of the following:

-   -   stand-by, e.g. when no goods have been loaded in the device and        no program has been selected,    -   door open, e.g. a user has opened the door in order to load the        goods to be sterilized or disinfected into the chamber 140,    -   door closed, e.g. user has closed the door after loading the        goods to be sterilized or disinfected into the chamber 140,    -   door stuck, e.g. due to improper loading of the goods in the        chamber 140,    -   program selected, e.g. the user has chosen a program to be        performed by the device 100,    -   program edit, e.g. the user has chosen to adjust one or more        parameters of the program,    -   program started, e.g. the device 100 has started washing,        sterilizing or disinfecting the goods according to the user        selected program,    -   program complete, e.g. the device 100 has finished washing,        sterilizing or disinfecting the goods according to the user        selected program.

Further non-limiting examples of process states may comprise one or morealarm process states or warning process states, e.g. due to improperfunctioning of the device 100, or cancel process states, e.g. when theuser has chosen to interrupt an on-going process. Some of thesenon-limiting examples of process states are described further withreference to FIG. 3 below. The process states of the device 100 may alsobe referred to as machine or device states.

In some embodiments, the detection of the current process state of thedevice 100, e.g. by means of the detecting unit 111, is performed inresponse to a user interaction with the device 100 via one or more ofthe graphical interactive user interface objects of the first set ofgraphical interactive user interface objects. This may, for example,occur when the touch sensitive display 130 detects a contact with anarea on the touch sensitive display 130 corresponding to one or more ofthe graphical interactive user interface objects of the first set ofgraphical interactive user interface objects. One example of this may bewhen the user of the device 100 contacts the touch sensitive display 130in order to select a program of the device 100.

Alternatively, the detection of the current process state of the device100, e.g. by means of the detecting unit 111, is performed in responseto a detected change in the operation of the device 100 by the device100 itself. This may, for example, occur when the door is opened orclosed by the user of the device 100, or when the device 100 hasfinished sterilizing or disinfecting the goods according to a userselected program.

Action 202

Following the detection of the current process state, the device 100indicates, e.g. by means of the indicating unit (or display unit) 112,on the display 130 a first set of said graphical interactive userinterface objects associated with the detected current first processstate visually differentiated from the other graphical interactive userinterface objects of said graphical interactive user interface objects.With this first set of graphical interactive user interface objects theuser interacts in order to cause the process of operating the device 100to change from the detected current first process state to a secondprocess state. In other words, these first set of graphical interactiveuser interface objects are allowed by the device 100 in the detectedcurrent process state since a user interaction with these first set ofgraphical interactive user interface objects will cause the process ofoperating the device 100 to change from the detected current firstprocess state to a second process state.

Hence, the transition into the second process state may be controlled inan efficient and safe manner since the user may be directly confronted,via the first set of graphical interactive user interface objects, withlimited ways of operating the device 100. This also means that graphicalinteractive user interface objects which do not lead to a transitioninto the second process state in a safe and efficient manner or isirrelevant to the first process state will be visually differentiated,e.g. not displayed, from the first set of graphical interactive userinterface objects on the display 130.

This means that the user of the device 100 is only confronted withinformation necessary at the current process state. Thus,advantageously, the user of the device 100 does not have to navigatethrough the system, e.g. via different menu's, windows or tabs, in orderto have the required information displayed. Consequently, a moreuser-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) providing an improvedHuman-to-Machine Interface (HMI) is provided.

Here, it should be noted that the second process state may be asubsequent or following process state with reference to the currentfirst process state in the process of operating the device 100.

Action 203

In this optional action 203, the device 100 may detect, e.g. by means ofthe detecting unit 111, that the process of operating the device 100 haschanged to a second process state.

In some embodiments, the detection of the change of current processstate of the device 100, e.g. by means of the detecting unit 111, isperformed in response to a user interaction with the device 100 via oneor more of the graphical interactive user interface objects of the firstset of graphical interactive user interface objects. Alternatively, thedetection of the change of current process state of the device 100, e.g.by means of the detecting unit 111, is performed in response to adetected change in the operation of the device 100 by the device 100itself.

Action 204

In response to detecting the change in Action 203, the device 100 mayindicate, e.g. by means of the indicating unit (or display unit) 112, onthe display 130 a second set of graphical interactive user interfaceobjects associated with the detected second process state visuallydifferentiated from the other graphical interactive user interfaceobjects of said graphical interactive user interface objects. With thissecond set of graphical interactive user interface objects the userinteracts in order to cause the process of operating the device 100 tochange from the detected second process state to a further processstate.

In other words, this second set of graphical interactive user interfaceobjects are the graphical interactive user interface objects that areallowed for the user of the device 100 to interact with during thedetected second process state. This second set of graphical interactiveuser interface objects are allowed by the device 100 in the detectedsecond process state in order to, upon a user interaction with thissecond set of graphical interactive user interface objects, cause theprocess of operating the device 100 to change from the current detectedsecond process state to a third process state.

This implies that continuous transitions into the next desired processstate may be controlled in an efficient and safe manner since the usermay be directly confronted, via the second set of graphical interactiveuser interface objects, with limited ways of operating the device 100from the detected current process state.

Here, also graphical interactive user interface objects which do notlead to a transition into the third process state in a safe andefficient manner will be visually differentiated, e.g. not displayed,displayed in a different color, displayed in a different size and/orshape, etc., from the second set of graphical interactive user interfaceobjects on the display 130. For example, these graphical interactiveuser interface objects may be one or more graphical interactive userinterface objects comprised in the first set of graphical interactiveuser interface objects.

This means that the user of the device 100 is only confronted withinformation necessary at each process state. Thus, advantageously, theuser of the device 100 does not have to navigate through system, e.g.via different menus, windows or tabs, in order to have the requiredinformation for each process state displayed. Consequently, a moreuser-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) providing an improvedHuman-to-Machine Interface (HMI) is provided.

Here, it should be noted that the further process state may be asubsequent or following process state with reference to the currentsecond process state in the process of operating the device 100.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first and second set of graphicalinteractive user interface objects may be visually differentiated fromother graphical interactive user interface objects during the detectedfirst and second process state, respectively, by one or more of thefollowing:

-   -   displaying versus not displaying. For example, during the        detected first or second process state, the graphical        interactive user interface objects of the first or the second        set of graphical interactive user interface objects,        respectively, are indicated on the display 130, while other        graphical interactive user interface objects are not displayed.    -   coloring versus non-coloring. For example, during the detected        first or second process state, the graphical interactive user        interface objects of the first or the second set of graphical        interactive user interface objects, respectively, are indicated        on the display 130 in color, while other graphical interactive        user interface objects are displayed, not in color (e.g.        displayed in black and white or grayscale only).    -   a first coloring versus at least one second coloring. For        example, during the detected first or second process state, the        graphical interactive user interface objects of the first or the        second set of graphical interactive user interface objects,        respectively, are indicated on the display 130 in a first color        (e.g. blue), while other graphical interactive user interface        objects are displayed in one or more second color (i.e. one or        more colors other than blue).    -   shading versus non-shading. For example, during the detected        first or second process state, the graphical interactive user        interface objects of the first or the second set of graphical        interactive user interface objects, respectively, are indicated        on the display 130 using a shading to emphasize or enhance a        graphical interactive user interface object (or to provide for a        so-called 3D-effect of the graphical interactive user interface        object), while other graphical interactive user interface        objects are non-shaded.    -   a first display intensity versus at least one second display        intensity. For example, during the detected first or second        process state, the graphical interactive user interface objects        of the first or the second set of graphical interactive user        interface objects, respectively, are indicated on the display        130 using a first display intensity to emphasize or enhance the        graphical interactive user interface objects, while other        graphical interactive user interface objects are indicated on        the display 130 using at least one second display intensity        (e.g. a lower intensity than the first display intensity).    -   frames versus no frames. For example, during the detected first        or second process state, the graphical interactive user        interface objects of the first or the second set of graphical        interactive user interface objects, respectively, are indicated        on the display 130 using a frame to emphasize or enhance a        graphical interactive user interface object, while other        graphical interactive user interface objects do not have any        frames.    -   a first font versus at least one second font. For example,        during the detected first or second process state, the graphical        interactive user interface objects of the first or the second        set of graphical interactive user interface objects,        respectively, are indicated on the display 130 using a first        font on the text thereon to emphasize or enhance the graphical        interactive user interface objects, while other graphical        interactive user interface objects are indicated on the display        130 using at least one second font (e.g. a smaller or different        font than the first font).

It should be noted that the examples of visually differentiationdescribed above should not be construed as limiting to this disclosure,but to emphasize the principle of the embodiments herein.

The process of operating the device 100, in some embodiments, comprisesa number of process states in each of which only a limited set ofoperations are allowed and relevant in the context of leading a user ofthe device 100 in transitioning the device 100 from one process stateinto another process state, e.g. from a first to a second process stateor from the second to at least one further process state, etc., asdescribed above. In these cases, each of the limited sets of operationsof each process state may be associated with a corresponding set ofgraphical interactive user interface objects, e.g. the first set ofgraphical interactive user interface objects during the first processstate or the second set of graphical interactive user interface objectsduring the second process state, etc.

Advantageously, this further provides for a more safe and efficient useof the device 100 in that, during certain process states, operationsthat are not allowed and relevant in the context of leading a user ofthe device 100 in transitioning the device 100 from one process stateinto another process state are not selectable or even displayed duringthese certain process states.

In some embodiments, the first and second set of graphical interactiveuser interface objects may be visually differentiated from othergraphical, user interface objects during the detected first and secondprocess state, respectively, by having a blue color.

This advantageously assigns a unique color for guiding the user of thedevice 100 through the process of operating the device 100 in a safe andeffective manner. Other colors may then be used in order to indicateother scenarios (such as, e.g. the color red may be used to signalerrors/alarms to the user of the device 100, the color yellow may beused to signal warnings to the user of the device 100, and/or the colorgreen to only signal when a program has been successfully completed inthe device 100) without confusion to the user of the device 100 of whichway forward will lead to a safe transition from one process state intoanother process state.

In some embodiments, the blue color may, when represented by an RGBcolor code, comprise the color values of on or about 0:170:255. Ifcomprising a gradient, the blue color may further comprise color valuesof on or about 37:59:126, when represented by an RGB color code. Thisdistinctive coloring of a safe path forward in operating the device 100is advantageous in that it provides an intuitive and user-friendly guidethrough the process of operating the device 100.

FIG. 3 shows exemplifying display views 310, 320, 330, 340 of thedisplay 130 comprising sets of graphical interactive user interfaceobjects 310A, 310B, 320A, 320B, 330A, 330B, 340A, 340B according to someembodiments. It should be noted that the embodiments described below aresimplified for more clearly demonstrating the principle of theembodiments described herein.

First View 310

This first view 310 may be shown during a detected stand-by processstate or stand-by, such as, e.g. when no goods have been loaded into thedevice 100 and no program has yet been selected by the user of thedevice 100. This state may be detected e.g. upon starting or waking upthe device 100.

In the simplified embodiment of FIG. 3, the device 100 is hereconfigured, when being in the detected stand-by process state, to allowthe user of the device 100 to perform the operation of opening the dooror the operation of selecting a program of the device 100. The device100 comprises a first set of graphical interactive user interfaceobjects 310A which are associated with these allowed operations and thedetected stand-by process state.

As shown in the first view 310, the first set of graphical interactiveuser interface objects 310A may comprise a graphical interactive userinterface object, “Open door”, being associated with the operation ofopening the door 150, e.g. actually opening the door 150 or indicatingto the user that the door 150 may be opened.

The first set of graphical interactive user interface objects 310A mayalso comprise a group of graphical interactive user interface objects,“Program 1”, “Program 2”, “Program 3”, etc., being associated withdifferent programs of operating the device 100. For example, in case thedevice 100 is a sterilization device, such as, e.g. an autoclave, thegroup of graphical interactive user interface objects, “Program 1”,“Program 2”, “Program 3”, etc., may represent different sterilizationprograms differentiated by at least one parameter, such as, e.g.sterilization temperature, process cycle time, number of sterilizationcycles, etc.

The first set of graphical interactive user interface objects 310A mayalso comprise a graphical interactive user interface object, “Menu”,being associated with the operation of providing the user with moredetailed information, such as, e.g. the current settings of the device100, or further operations of the device 100. Note that, in someembodiments, some graphical interactive user interface objects, such as,e.g. the graphical interactive user interface object, “Menu”, may bepresent in all or at least several sets of graphical interactive userinterface objects. Thus, it should be noted that at least one graphicalinteractive user interface object may be indicated visually identical ina first and a second process state, and that this at least one graphicalinteractive user interface object need not be related to the currentprocess state or transitions between different process states of thedevice 100, but rather related to current settings in the device 100that are preferably almost always available.

It should also be noted that this does not exclude other graphical userinterface objects of optional parameters or settings that are notrelated to the current process state or transitions between differentprocess states of the device 100 to be presented throughout several orall process states. Examples of such parameters or settings may be aprogram temperature or program time.

In the first view 310, the device 100 indicates, e.g. by means of theindicating unit (or display unit) 112 on the display 130, the first setof graphical interactive user interface objects 310A visuallydifferentiated from other graphical interactive user interface objects310B. In this case, the other graphical interactive user interfaceobjects 310B may comprise a graphical interactive user interface object,“Door closed”, being associated with the operation of closing the door150, and a graphical interactive user interface object, “Start program”being associated with the operation of starting a program of the device100. This is because the device 100 is here configured, when being inthe detected stand-by process state, to not allow the user of the device100 to perform the operation of closing the door (since door is alreadyclosed) or the operation of starting a program of the device 100 (sinceno program has been selected and the device 100 is not in a processstate yet that would enable a program to start).

However, it should also be noted that the other graphical interactiveuser interface objects 310B, in this case, also comprise all othergraphical interactive user interface objects not being indicated in thefirst view 310.

As can be seen in the first view 310, the first set of graphicalinteractive user interface objects 310A are shown as clearly distinctivefrom the other graphical interactive user interface objects 310B byhaving heavily marked edges (as indicated by the fully drawn, heavylines) and bold font, whereas the other graphical interactive userinterface objects 310B are either not displayed or have faintly markededges (as indicated by the dashed lines) and regular font. In someembodiments, the first set of graphical interactive user interfaceobjects 310A may preferably comprise a blue color to some extent so asto guide the user in the manner previously described above.

This translates into the first set of graphical interactive userinterface objects 310A being perceived as active, whereas the othergraphical interactive user interface objects 310B being perceived asinactive. However, as previously described in embodiments above, manymodifications and variations are possible for achieving the desireddifferentiation between the first set of graphical interactive userinterface objects 310A and the other graphical interactive userinterface objects 310B.

When in the stand-by process state, the device 100, e.g. by means of thedetecting unit 111, may detect a change C1 in the current process stateof the device 100 from the stand-by process state into another processstate. In this example, this may e.g. be caused by a user interactionwith the graphical interactive user interface object, “Open door”, beingassociated with the operation of opening the door 150. Alternatively,the device 100 may detect that the door 150 has been opened.

Second View 320

This second view 320 may, for example, be shown during a detected dooropen state and in response to detecting the change C1.

In the simplified embodiment of FIG. 3, the device 100 is hereconfigured, when being in the detected door open state, to allow theuser of the device 100 to perform the operation of closing the door orthe operation of selecting a program of the device 100. The device 100comprises a second set of graphical interactive user interface objects320A which are associated with these allowed operations and the detecteddoor open state. Note that graphical interactive user interface objectscomprised in the first set of graphical interactive user interfaceobjects 310A may also be present in this second set of graphicalinteractive user interface objects 320A.

As shown in the second view 320, the second set of graphical interactiveuser interface objects 320A may comprise a graphical interactive userinterface object, “Close door”, being associated with the operation ofclosing the door 150, e.g. actually closing the door 150 or indicatingto the user that the door 150 may be closed.

The second set of graphical interactive user interface objects 320A mayalso comprise the group of graphical interactive user interface objects,“Program 1”, “Program 2”, “Program 3”, as previously described.

In the second view 320, the device 100 indicates, e.g. by means of theindicating unit (or display unit) 112 on the display 130, the second setof graphical interactive user interface objects 320A visuallydifferentiated from other graphical interactive user interface objects320B. In this case, the other graphical interactive user interfaceobjects 320B may comprise the graphical interactive user interfaceobject, “Open door”, being associated with the operation of opening thedoor 150, and a graphical interactive user interface object, “Startprogram” being associated with the operation of starting a program ofthe device 100. This is because the device 100 is here configured, whenbeing in the detected door open state, to not allow the user of thedevice 100 to perform the operation of opening the door or the operationof starting a program of the device 100. However, it should also benoted that the other graphical interactive user interface objects 320B,in this case, may also comprise all other graphical interactive userinterface objects not being indicated in the second view 320.

As can be seen in the second view 320, the second set of graphicalinteractive user interface objects 320A are shown as clearly distinctivefrom the other graphical interactive user interface objects 320B byhaving heavily marked edges (as indicated by the fully drawn, heavylines) and bold font, whereas the other graphical interactive userinterface objects 320B are either not displayed or have faintly markededges (as indicated by the dashed lines) and regular font. In someembodiments, the second set of graphical interactive user interfaceobjects 320A may preferably comprise a blue color to some extent so asto guide the user in the manner previously described above.

This translates into the second set of graphical interactive userinterface objects 320A being perceived as active, whereas the othergraphical interactive user interface objects 320B are perceived asinactive. However, as previously described in embodiments above, manymodifications and variations are possible for achieving the desireddifferentiation between the first set of graphical interactive userinterface objects 320A and the other graphical interactive userinterface objects 320B.

When in the door open state, the device 100, e.g. by means of thedetecting unit 111, may detect a change C2 in the current process stateof the device 100 from the door open state into another process state.In this example, this may e.g. be caused by a user interaction with thegraphical interactive user interface object, “Close door”, beingassociated with the operation of closing the door 150. Alternatively,the device 100 may detect that the door 150 has been closed. Hence, inthis example, the other process state is here a door closed state. Insome embodiments, the device 100 may then return to the first view 310,wherein the same conditions apply for the door closed state as describedfor the stand-by process state.

The device 100 may, e.g. by means of the detecting unit 111, also detecta change C3 in the current process state of the device 100 from the doorclosed state into another process state. In this example, this may e.g.be caused by a user interaction with one of the graphical interactiveuser interface object of the group of graphical interactive userinterface objects, “Program 1”, “Program 2”, “Program 3”, etc., beingassociated with different programs of operating the device 100. Hence,in this example, the other process state is here a program selectedstate. In the third view 330 described below, this is denoted by thegraphical interactive user interface object, “Program 1”, being dotted,i.e. as being selected by the user of the device 100.

Third View 330

This third view 330 may, for example, be shown during a detected programselected state and in response to detecting the change C3.

In the simplified embodiment of FIG. 3, the device 100 is hereconfigured, when being in the detected program selected state, to allowthe user of the device 100 to perform the operation of closing the door,selecting another program of the device 100 and starting the selectedprogram of the device 100. The device 100 comprises a third set ofgraphical interactive user interface objects 330A which are associatedwith these allowed operations and the detected program selected state.Note that graphical interactive user interface objects comprised in thefirst or second set of graphical interactive user interface objects310A, 320A may also be present in this third set of graphicalinteractive user interface objects 330A.

As shown in the third view 330, the third set of graphical interactiveuser interface objects 330A may comprise the graphical interactive userinterface object, “Open door”, being associated with the operation ofopening the door 150, and the group of graphical interactive userinterface objects, “Program 1”, “Program 2”, “Program 3”, as previouslydescribed. In this third view 330, since being allowed in the detectedprogram selected state, the third set of graphical interactive userinterface objects 330A may comprise the graphical interactive userinterface object, “Start program”, being associated with the operationof starting a program of the device 100.

In the third view 330, the device 100 indicates, e.g. by means of theindicating unit (or display unit) 112 on the display 130, the third setof graphical interactive user interface objects 330A visuallydifferentiated from other graphical interactive user interface objects330B. In this example, the other graphical interactive user interfaceobjects 330B may comprise the graphical interactive user interfaceobject, “Close door”, being associated with the operation of closing thedoor 150. Also, note that the other graphical interactive user interfaceobjects 330B, in this case, may also comprise all other graphicalinteractive user interface objects not being indicated (displayed) inthe third view 330.

As can be seen in the third view 330, the third set of graphicalinteractive user interface objects 330A are shown as clearly distinctivefrom the other graphical interactive user interface objects 330B byhaving heavily marked edges (as indicated by the fully drawn, heavylines) and bold font, whereas the other graphical interactive userinterface objects 330B are either not displayed or have faintly markededges (as indicated by the dashed lines) and regular font. In someembodiments, the third set of graphical interactive user interfaceobjects 330A may preferably comprise a blue color to some extent so asto guide the user as has been previously described above.

Alternatively, the device 100 may provide a default selection of aprogram that may be changed by the user by pressing an alternativeprogram button, i.e. interacting with one of the graphical interactiveuser interface objects of the third set of graphical interactive userinterface objects 330A, such as, e.g. “Program 2” or “Program 3”. Inthat case, the selected program will change to the process programcorresponding to the selected program button.

The above translates into the third set of graphical interactive userinterface objects 330A being perceived as active, whereas the othergraphical interactive user interface objects 330B are perceived asinactive. However, as previously described in embodiments above, manymodifications and variations are possible for achieving the desireddifferentiation between the third set of graphical interactive userinterface objects 330A and the other graphical interactive userinterface objects 330B.

It should also be noted that graphical interactive user interfaceobjects being associated with the special features, such as, e.g.starting a program of the device 100, “Start program”, may be furtherdifferentiated from other graphical interactive user interface objectsas shown in the third view 330 (denoted by the graphical interactiveuser interface object, “Start program”, being dashed). In someembodiments, the graphical interactive user interface object, “Startprogram”, may preferably comprise a blue color to some extent so as toguide the user onwards.

Here, it should be noted that during a detected program selected stateand in response to detecting the change C3, other graphical userinterface objects (not shown) of optional parameters or settings thatare not related to the current process state or transitions betweendifferent process states of the device 100 may also to be presentedhere. For example, graphical user interface objects associated withprogram temperature or program time of the selected program may bepresented, which may enable the user of the device 100 to visuallyconfirm that the correct program parameters or settings are used.

When in program selected state, the device 100, e.g. by means of thedetecting unit 111, may detect a change C4 in the current process stateof the device 100 from the program selected state into another processstate. In this example, this may e.g. be caused by a user interactionwith the graphical interactive user interface object, “Start program”,being associated with the operation of starting the selected program ofthe device 100. Hence, in this example, the other process state is herea program started state.

However, it should further be noted that in case the device 100 is notable to start the selected program, e.g. the chamber 140 may not be hotenough for the selected program, etc., the device 100 may enter otherfurther process states, such as, e.g. one or more warning processstates, before re-entering the program selected state or entering in theprogram started state. For the sake of simplicity, however, theseprocess states and their displays views are not described or shown inmore detail herein.

Fourth View 340

This fourth view 340 may, for example, be shown during a detectedprogram started state and in response to detecting the change C4.

In the simplified embodiment of FIG. 3, the device 100 is hereconfigured, when being in the detected program selected state, to allowthe user of the device 100 to interrupt the ongoing program, e.g.intervene in or cancel an ongoing program. The device 100 comprises afourth set of graphical interactive user interface objects 340A whichare associated with this allowed operation and the detected programstarted state.

As shown in the fourth view 340, the fourth set of graphical interactiveuser interface objects 340A may comprise the graphical interactive userinterface object, “Cancel”, being associated with the operation ofinterrupting the selected program of the device 100. Here, the fourthview 340 may also comprise a graphical user interface object indicatingprocess time of the started program of the device 100. This graphicaluser interface object may, for example, comprise a digital clock showingthe time remaining of the started program, and a circular figure beingfilled in percentage of the total program time that has lapsed.

In the fourth view 340, the device 100 indicates, e.g. by means of theindicating unit (or display unit) 112 on the display 130, the fourth setof graphical interactive user interface objects 340A visuallydifferentiated from other graphical interactive user interface objects340B. In this case, the other graphical interactive user interfaceobjects 340B may comprise the graphical interactive user interfaceobject, “Open door”, the graphical interactive user interface object,“Close door”, and the graphical interactive user interface object,“Start program”. Also, note that the other graphical interactive userinterface objects 340B, in this case, may also comprise all othergraphical interactive user interface objects not being indicated(displayed) in the fourth view 340.

As can be seen in the fourth view 340, the fourth set of graphicalinteractive user interface objects 340A are shown as clearly distinctivefrom the other graphical interactive user interface objects 340B byhaving heavily marked edges (as indicated by the fully drawn, heavylines) and bold font, whereas the other graphical interactive userinterface objects 340B are either not displayed or have faintly markededges (as indicated by the dashed lines) and regular font. In someembodiments, the fourth set of graphical interactive user interfaceobjects 330A may preferably comprise a blue color to some extent so asto guide the user onwards.

This translates into the fourth set of graphical interactive userinterface objects 340A being perceived as active, whereas the othergraphical interactive user interface objects 340B are perceived asinactive. However, as previously described in embodiments above, manymodifications and variations are possible for achieving the desireddifferentiation between the fourth set of graphical interactive userinterface objects 340A and the other graphical interactive userinterface objects 340B.

When in program started state, the device 100 may, e.g. by means of thedetecting unit 111, also detect further changes C5 or C6 in the currentprocess state of the device 100 from the program started state intoanother process state. In this example, this may e.g. be caused by thedevice 100 detecting that the on-going program of the device 100 hasbeen: (C5) successfully completed or (C6) not successfully completed.Hence, in this example, the other process state is here a programcomplete state.

It should further be noted that, when in the program started state,other further process states, such as, one or more alarm process statesor warning process states, e.g. due to improper functioning of thedevice 100, or one or more cancel process states, e.g. when the user haschosen to interrupt an on-going process, may also be entered by thedevice 100. For the sake of simplicity, however, these process statesand their displays views are not described or shown in more detailherein.

FIG. 4 shows exemplifying further display views 410, 420 of the display130 comprising sets of graphical interactive user interface objects410A, 410B, 420A, 420B according to some embodiments. It should be notedthat the embodiments described below are simplified for more clearlydemonstrating the principle of the embodiments described herein.

Fifth View 410

This fifth view 410 may, for example, be shown during a detected programcomplete state and in response to detecting the change C5. In thesimplified embodiment of FIG. 4, the device 100 is here configured, whenbeing in the detected program complete state, to allow the user of thedevice 100 to open the door 150. The device 100 comprises a fifth set ofgraphical interactive user interface objects 410A which are associatedwith this allowed operation and the detected program complete state. Asshown in the fifth view 410, the fifth set of graphical interactive userinterface objects 410A may comprise the graphical interactive userinterface object, “Open door”, as previously described. Here, the fifthview 410 may also comprise a graphical user interface object indicatingthe program has completed successfully.

In the fifth view 410, the device 100 indicates, e.g. by means of theindicating unit (or display unit) 112 on the display 130, the fifth setof graphical interactive user interface objects 410A visuallydifferentiated from other graphical interactive user interface objects410B. In this case, the other graphical interactive user interfaceobjects 410B may comprise the graphical interactive user interfaceobject, “Close door”, and the graphical interactive user interfaceobject, “Start program”. Also, note that the other graphical interactiveuser interface objects 410B, in this case, may also comprise all othergraphical interactive user interface objects not being indicated(displayed) in the fifth view 410.

As can be seen in the fifth view 410, the fifth set of graphicalinteractive user interface objects 410A are shown as clearly distinctivefrom the other graphical interactive user interface objects 410B byhaving heavily marked edges (as indicated by the fully drawn, heavylines) and bold font, whereas the other graphical interactive userinterface objects 410B are either not displayed or have faintly markededges (as indicated by the dashed lines) and regular font. In someembodiments, the fifth set of graphical interactive user interfaceobjects 410A may preferably comprise a blue color so as to guide theuser onwards. Also, in some embodiments, a graphical user interfaceobject indicating that the program has been completed successfully, e.g.the goods are now washed, disinfected or sterile, and that the goods areready to be unloaded from the device 100 may also be displayed. In someembodiments, this graphical user interface object may preferablycomprise a green color to clearly indicate to the user that the programcompleted successfully.

This translates into the fifth set of graphical interactive userinterface objects 410A being perceived as active, whereas the othergraphical interactive user interface objects 410B are perceived asinactive. However, as previously described in embodiments above, manymodifications and variations are possible for achieving the desireddifferentiation between the fifth set of graphical interactive userinterface objects 410A and the other graphical interactive userinterface objects 410B.

Sixth View 420

This sixth view 420 may, for example, be shown during a detected programcomplete state and in response to detecting the change C6.

In the simplified embodiment of FIG. 4, the device 100 is hereconfigured, when being in the detected program complete state, to allowthe user of the device 100 to open the door 150. The device 100comprises a sixth set of graphical interactive user interface objects420A which are associated with this allowed operation and the detectedprogram complete state. As shown in the sixth view 420, the sixth set ofgraphical interactive user interface objects 420A may comprise thegraphical interactive user interface object, “Open door”, as previouslydescribed. Here, the sixth view 410 may also comprise a graphical userinterface object indicating the program has not been successfullycompleted, e.g. due to some error occurring during the on-going programof the device 100.

In the sixth view 420, the device 100 indicates, e.g. by means of theindicating unit (or display unit) 112 on the display 130, the sixth setof graphical interactive user interface objects 420A visuallydifferentiated from other graphical interactive user interface objects420B. In this case, the other graphical interactive user interfaceobjects 420B may comprise the graphical interactive user interfaceobject, “Close door”, and the graphical interactive user interfaceobject, “Start program”. Also, note that the other graphical interactiveuser interface objects 420B, in this case, may also comprise all othergraphical interactive user interface objects not being indicated(displayed) in the sixth view 420.

As can be seen in the sixth view 420, the sixth set of graphicalinteractive user interface objects 420A are shown as clearly distinctivefrom the other graphical interactive user interface objects 420B byhaving heavily marked edges (as indicated by the fully drawn, heavylines), whereas the other graphical interactive user interface objects420B are either not displayed or have a faintly marked edges (asindicated by the dashed lines). In some embodiments, the sixth set ofgraphical interactive user interface objects 420A may preferablycomprise a blue color so as to guide the user onwards. Also, in someembodiments, a graphical user interface object indicating that theprogram has not been completed successfully, e.g. the goods may not besatisfactory washed, disinfected or sterile, may also be displayed. Insome embodiments, this graphical user interface object may preferablycomprise a yellow color to clearly indicate to the user that the programdid not completed successfully.

This translates into the sixth set of graphical interactive userinterface objects 420A being perceived as active, whereas the othergraphical interactive user interface objects 420B are perceived asinactive. However, as previously described in embodiments above, manymodifications and variations are possible for achieving the desireddifferentiation between the sixth set of graphical interactive userinterface objects 420A and the other graphical interactive userinterface objects 420B.

It should further be noted that the positioning, size, and layout of thegraphical interactive user interface objects in the sets of graphicalinteractive user interface objects 310A, 310B, 320A, 320B, 330A, 330B,340A, 340B, 410A, 410B, 420A, 420B may be arbitrarily selected andadapted to the implementation at hand. Here, the graphical interactiveuser interface objects are represented by virtual buttons, comprisingexplanatory text. Naturally, the graphical interactive user interfaceobjects may additionally and/or alternatively comprise explanatorysymbols and/or icons. In order to distinguish the graphical interactiveuser interface objects in the sets 310A, 320A, 330A, 340A, 410A, 420Afrom other shown information, and from inactive graphical interactiveuser interface objects in the sets 310B, 320B, 330B, 340B, 410B, 420Bnot comprised in the set of graphical interactive user interface objectsin the sets 310A, 320A, 330A, 340A, 410A, 420A currently indicated inview of the allowed operations of the current process state, thegraphical interactive user interface objects in the sets 310A, 320A,330A, 340A, 410A, 420A may be visualized e.g. with comparably largerand/or bolder fonts, and/or frames, different coloring, intensity,shadowing and the like, as described in embodiments above.

From the exemplifying display views 310, 320, 330, 340, 410, 420 of thedisplay 130 depicted in FIGS. 3-4, some of the advantages of theembodiments described herein may be easily seen.

For example, the graphical interactive user interface object, “Opendoor”, is readily available on the display 130 when the device 100 is ina process state which allows the opening of the door 150 of the device100. Also, the graphical interactive user interface object, “Closedoor”, is readily available on the display 130 when the device 100 is ina process state which allows the closing of the door 150 of the device100. This provides e.g. an advantage over other devices for washing,disinfecting and/or sterilizing medical, dental, laboratory and/orpharmaceutical goods that have implemented hard keys for start/stopfunctions, which thus may be pressed or be perceived as usable by a userof the device 100 even though it is not to be used or usable at acurrent process state of the device 100.

Furthermore, the graphical interactive user interface object, “Startprogram”, is readily available on the display 130 when the device 100 isin a process state which allows a program of the device 100 to bestarted. Thus, the user may not accidentally start or initiate a programuntil the device 100 is in a process state which allows a program of thedevice 100 to be started.

According to some embodiments, some graphical interactive user interfaceobjects of a set of graphical interactive user interface objects,representing a number of possible different operations for the user,such as, e.g. open the door, close the door and/or start the program,are indicated on the display 130. Simultaneously, some graphicalinteractive user interface objects in the same set of graphicalinteractive user interface objects, representing a number of possibledifferent device oriented settings for the user, such as, differentprograms e.g. sterilization programs, are indicated on the display 130.

In this embodiment, when a user selects one of the graphical interactiveuser interface objects representing a number of possible differentdevice oriented settings, the visual appearance of at least one of thegraphical interactive user interface objects representing a number ofpossible different operations for the user is visually changed,indicating a new possible operation for the user. In this manner, a usermay be guided through possible process states which are available basedon the current selected program, process state and/or operation by theuser. Other non-available process states based on the current selectedprogram, process state and/or operation can optionally be suppressed bydisplaying them visually differentiated or by hiding or concealing themfrom view.

In some embodiments, the process of operating the device 100 comprises anumber of process states in each of which only a limited set ofoperations are allowed and relevant in the context of leading a user ofthe device (100) in transitioning the device (100) from one processstate into another process state, e.g. from the first to the secondprocess state or from the second to the third process state. In thefirst process state, a fixed amount of graphical interactive userinterface objects are displayed on a portion of the display, and in thesecond process state the same amount of graphical interactive userinterface objects is displayed in the same portion of the display, andduring the second process state, at least one of the graphicalinteractive user interface objects displayed is displayed visuallydifferentiated from the graphical interactive user interface objectsdisplayed in the first process state. For example, if in the firstprocess state a first, a second and a third graphical interactive userinterface objects are displayed, only one first graphical interactiveuser interface object is active representing a possible operation forthe user. In the second process state, the first graphical interactiveuser interface object is deactivated from being an available possibleoperation for the user and the second graphical interactive userinterface object is activated representing a second possible operationfor the user. Thus, the first graphical interactive user interfaceobject is shown visually differentiated from the second graphicalinteractive user interface object.

It should also be noted that sterilization (or sterilisation) hereinrelates to a process that eliminates (removes) or kills microbial life,including transmissible agents (such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, sporeforms, etc.) present on a surface, contained in a fluid, in medication,and/or on and/or in a compound such as biological culture media.Sterilization can be achieved by applying heat, chemicals, irradiation,high pressure, and filtration or combinations thereof. Steamsterilization, or autoclaving, involves subjecting goods to steam at ahigh temperature. Steam sterilization involves the use of saturatedsteam under pressure and is a non-toxic method for sterilization.Further, steam sterilizers (autoclaves) are available in different sizesfor different purposes. Four factors are relevant for the outcome ofsteam sterilization: steam, pressure, temperature and time.

It should further be noted that a device for washing, disinfectingand/or sterilizing medical, dental, laboratory and/or pharmaceuticalgoods using a washing, disinfecting and/or sterilizing process, such asdescribed in the embodiments above, should preferably be adapted tooperate at a temperature above 100° C., preferably above 120° C., morepreferably between 120-140° C. and at suitable pressure, at least above101.3 kPa. A sterilizer disclosed herein should preferably at least meetthe requirement of EN285:2006 and A2:2009, standards used in this fieldof technology and known to the skilled person in the art.

The sterilization time required varies depending on the goods to besterilized, sterilization time necessary at a defined temperature willalso depend on the goods to be sterilized. Chemical and biologicalindicators are available for monitoring the sterilization process and toensure that sterility is achieved. Properly executed steam sterilizationwill inactivate all fungi, bacteria, viruses and bacterial spores. Ifnot all fungi, bacteria, viruses and bacterial spores can be removed ordeactivated, the temperature, time and pressure is selected so that thesterilization device, and the method, has a Sterility assurance level,SAL, of at most 1/1.000.000, preferably lower than 1/1.000.000. SAL isused to describe the probability of a non-sterile unit exiting thedevice or method after the sterilization process has been completed.

The embodiments herein are not limited to the above described preferredembodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may beused. Therefore, the above embodiments should not be construed aslimiting.

Additionally, in the claims, the word “comprising” does not excludeother elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does notexclude a plurality.

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A device for washing, disinfecting and/orsterilizing medical, dental, laboratory and/or pharmaceutical goods, thedevice comprising: a touch screen; a chamber for receiving said goods; adoor; and processing circuitry and computer executable instructionsconfigured to cause the device to perform a process as follows:detecting a current first process state of the device; indicatingpermitted ways of operating the device in the first process state to auser by indicating on the touch screen a first set of graphicalinteractive user interface objects, the first set of graphicalinteractive user interface objects being associated with the firstprocess state and being visually differentiated on the touch screen fromother graphical interactive user interface objects not associated withthe first process state, wherein the user can interact with the firstset of graphical interactive user interface objects via the touch screento cause the process of operating the device to change from the firstprocess state to a second process state; detecting that the process ofoperating the device has changed to the second process state; and inresponse to detecting that the process of operating the device haschanged to the second process state, indicating permitted ways ofoperating the device in the second process state to the user byindicating on the touch screen a second set of graphical interactiveuser interface objects, the second set of graphical interactive userinterface objects being associated with the second process state andvisually differentiated from other graphical interactive user interfaceobjects not associated with the detected second process state, whereinthe user can interact with the second set of graphical interactive userinterface objects via the touch screen to cause the process of operatingthe device to change from the second process state to a further processstate; wherein the detecting is performed by the device in response to auser interaction with the device, and/or in response to a detectedchange in the operation of the device by the device itself; wherein thefirst set of graphical interactive user interface objects and the secondset of graphical interactive user interface objects are at leastpartially different; and wherein at least one of the first process stateand the second process state is a washing, disinfecting, and/orsterilizing process state of the device.
 16. The device according toclaim 15, the device being configured wherein the first set and thesecond set of graphical interactive user interface objects are visuallydifferentiated from the other graphical interactive user interfaceobjects during the first process state and the second process state,respectively, by one or more of the following: coloring versusnon-coloring; a first coloring versus at least one second coloring; afirst display intensity versus a second display intensity; frames versusno frames; and/or a first font versus at least one second font.
 17. Thedevice according to claim 15, the device configured wherein: one of saidfirst process state and said second process state is selected from: analarm process state and a warning process state.
 18. The deviceaccording to claim 15: wherein the graphical interactive user interfaceobjects include a door open user interface object, the device beingconfigured to open the door in response to the user interacting with thedoor open user interface object; the device being further configured: toperform a washing, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing process in responseto a user input selecting one of said first set of graphical interactiveuser interface objects; during said washing, disinfecting, and/orsterilizing process, to suppress the door open user interface object,and thereby prevent opening of the door; and after the washing,disinfecting, and/or sterilizing process is complete, to emphasize thedoor open user interface object.
 19. The device according to claim 15,the device being configured wherein: when the device is in the firstprocess state, user interface objects not associated with the firstprocess state are suppressed on the touch screen; and the device ignoresuser interactions with user interface objects which are suppressed, andmaintains a same operating state of the device before and after userinteractions with the user interface objects which are suppressed 20.The device according to claim 15, wherein the device comprises anautoclave.
 21. A device for washing, disinfecting and/or sterilizingmedical, dental, laboratory and/or pharmaceutical goods, and configuredto guide a user of the device through a plurality of process statesduring operation of the device, comprising: a display screen; a chamberfor receiving said goods; a door, the door positioned to control accessto the chamber; and processing circuitry and computer executableinstructions configured to cause the device to perform a process asfollows: displaying on the display screen of the device a plurality ofgraphical interactive user interface objects associated with theoperation of the device; detecting a first process state of the device;emphasizing, on the display screen by differential displaying, graphicalinteractive user interface objects that are associated with the firstprocess state, and suppressing graphical interactive user interfaceobjects that are not associated with the first process state; receivinga user input selecting one of the graphical interactive user interfaceobjects associated with the detected first current process state; inresponse to said receiving the user input, transitioning the device fromthe first process state to a second process state; and then emphasizing,on the display screen by differential displaying, at least one of saidplurality of graphical interactive user interface objects that areassociated with the second process state, and suppressing graphicalinteractive user interface objects that are not associated with thesecond current process state; wherein the first process state and secondprocess state are different operational states of the device withrespect to a washing, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing process of thedevice; and wherein the graphical interactive user interface objectsassociated with the first process state and the graphical interactiveuser interface objects associated with the second process state are atleast partially different.
 22. The device according to claim 21, thedevice configured wherein: user interactions with suppressed graphicaluser interface objects are ignored, with the device maintaining a sameoperating state of the device before and after the user interaction withthe graphical interactive user interface object which is suppressed. 23.The device according to claim 21, wherein the display screen comprises atouch screen configured for receiving user input, and configured fordisplaying said plurality of graphical interactive user interfaceobjects.
 24. The device according to claim 21, the device configuredwherein emphasizing the graphical interactive user interface objectsthat are associated with the first process state, and suppressing thegraphical interactive user interface objects that are not associatedwith the first process state, includes one or more of: displaying thegraphical interactive user interface objects that are associated withthe first process state, and not displaying the graphical interactiveuser interface objects that are not associated with the first processstate; coloring the graphical interactive user interface objects thatare associated with the first process state, and displaying thegraphical interactive user interface objects that are not associatedwith the first process state in grayscale; displaying the graphicalinteractive user interface objects that are associated with the firstprocess state in a first coloring, and displaying the graphicalinteractive user interface objects that are not associated with thefirst process state in at least one second coloring; displaying thegraphical interactive user interface objects that are associated withthe first process state in a first display intensity, and displaying thegraphical interactive user interface objects that are not associatedwith the first process state in a lower second display intensity;framing the graphical interactive user interface objects that areassociated with the first process state, and not framing the graphicalinteractive user interface objects that are not associated with thefirst process state; and/or using a first font for the graphicalinteractive user interface objects that are associated with the firstprocess state, and using at least one different second font for thegraphical interactive user interface objects that are not associatedwith the first process state.
 25. The device according to claim 21, thedevice configured wherein the plurality of graphical interactive userinterface objects comprises: a door open object; a door close object;and a plurality of objects for selecting among a plurality of respectivewashing, disinfecting and/or sterilizing programs.
 26. The deviceaccording to claim 21, the device configured wherein: the plurality ofgraphical interactive user interface objects comprises an object forstarting a washing, disinfecting, or sterilizing program; and whereinsaid object for starting a washing, disinfecting, or sterilizing programis suppressed when the device detects that the door is in an open state.27. The device according to claim 21, the device comprising a detectingunit configured to detect that the door has been closed, and the deviceconfigured to transition to a different process state in response todetecting that the door has been closed.
 28. The device according toclaim 21, the device configured wherein: the plurality of graphicalinteractive user interface objects associated with the first processstate comprises a start program object; the device transitions to thesecond process state in response to a user interacting with the startprogram object; the device initiates a washing, disinfecting, orsterilizing program in response to the user interacting with the startprogram object, the washing, disinfecting, or sterilizing process beingthe second process state; and wherein a door open object is suppressedin the second process state.
 29. The device according to claim 21, thedevice configured wherein: the plurality of graphical interactive userinterface objects comprises a plurality of program objects for selectingamong a plurality of programs, said programs comprising differentwashing, disinfecting and/or sterilizing programs; and in response to auser selecting a program object, the device presents at least one ofprogram parameters and program settings for the corresponding program onthe display screen.
 30. The device according to claim 21, the deviceconfigured wherein: the second process state comprises a washing,disinfecting, or sterilizing process; the device enters a third processstate in response to completion of the washing, disinfecting, orsterilizing process; the device emphasizes, on the display screen,graphical interactive user interface objects that are associated withthe third process state, and suppresses graphical interactive userinterface objects not associated with the third process state; andwherein the graphical interactive user interface objects associated withthe second process state and with the third process state are at leastpartially different.
 31. The device according to claim 21, the deviceconfigured wherein: the plurality of graphical interactive userinterface objects includes a door open user interface object, the devicebeing configured to open a door in response to the user interacting withthe door open user interface object; the door open user interface objectis suppressed during washing, disinfecting, and/or sterilizingprocesses, thereby preventing opening of the door; and the door openuser interface object is emphasized after completion of said washing,disinfecting, and/or sterilizing processes.
 32. The device according toclaim 21, wherein the device comprises an autoclave, a washer, a washerdisinfector, a sterilizer, or a drying cabinet.
 33. A device forwashing, disinfecting and/or sterilizing medical, dental, laboratoryand/or pharmaceutical goods: wherein the device comprises an autoclave,a sterilizer, or a washer-disinfector, the device comprising: a touchscreen; a chamber for receiving said goods; a door; and processingcircuitry and computer executable instructions configured to cause thedevice to perform a process as follows: displaying on the touch screenof the device a plurality of graphical interactive user interfaceobjects associated with the operation of the device; detecting a firstprocess state of the device; emphasizing, on the touch screen bydifferential displaying, graphical interactive user interface objectsthat are associated with the first process state, and suppressinggraphical interactive user interface objects that are not associatedwith the first process state; receiving a user input selecting one ofthe graphical interactive user interface objects associated with thedetected first current process state; in response to said receiving theuser input, transitioning the device from the first process state to asecond process state; and emphasizing, on the touch screen bydifferential displaying, at least one of said plurality of graphicalinteractive user interface objects that are associated with the secondprocess state, and suppressing graphical interactive user interfaceobjects that are not associated with the second current process state;wherein the first process state and second process state are differentoperational states of the device; and wherein the graphical interactiveuser interface objects associated with the first process state and thegraphical interactive user interface objects associated with the secondprocess state are at least partially different.
 34. The device accordingto claim 33, the device configured wherein: the plurality of graphicalinteractive user interface objects comprises: a door open object, a doorclose object, a start program object, and a plurality of objects forselecting among a plurality of different respective washing,disinfecting and/or sterilizing programs; the door open object issuppressed when a washing, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing program isin progress; and the start program object is suppressed when the door isopen.
 35. The device according to claim 33: wherein the device is asterilizer configured for sterilizing medical, dental, laboratory,and/or pharmaceutical goods held in the chamber by applying one or morechemical sterilant therein.